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Sites like ScholarshipOwl: alternatives worth a look in 2026

Short answer

Of the other scored sites, Bold.org (6.30) and Fastweb (5.45) rank highest on our weights. People look past ScholarshipOwl mainly because it charges a membership after the free trial, and its prices are not on its public pages. Stay with ScholarshipOwl if the time you save from one reused application and automatic reapplication is worth the membership to you, and you are comfortable with its data terms after reading them.

By The Deadline Desk · Best Scholarship Sites · Published

Desk research from each site's public pages, app store listings and review profiles. Editorial assessment; we did not create accounts or apply for scholarships.

Why do people look for alternatives to ScholarshipOwl?

Which scored sites are the best alternatives?

  • Rank 2

    Bold.org

    6.30 / 10
    Free

    Scores higher than ScholarshipOwl on: transparency, cost, privacy and ratings

    ScholarshipOwl scores higher on: effort saved, matching, help and database size

  • Rank 3

    Fastweb

    5.45 / 10
    Free

    Scores higher than ScholarshipOwl on: cost, privacy and database size

    ScholarshipOwl scores higher on: effort saved, matching, help and ratings

  • Rank 4

    Scholarships.com

    5.10 / 10
    Free

    Scores higher than ScholarshipOwl on: cost, privacy and database size

    ScholarshipOwl scores higher on: effort saved, matching, transparency, help and ratings

Which other sites did we review?

  • Appily (formerly Cappex)

    Free
    Database, as stated
    "The nation's largest, multi-billion dollar scholarship database" (no count stated)
    Applying
    Not read.
    Own no-essay award
    None stated
    Read the review: Appily (formerly Cappex)

  • BigFuture Scholarships (College Board)

    Free
    Database, as stated
    Over 24,000 scholarships, more than $1.5 billion a year
    Applying
    Not read.
    Own no-essay award
    $40,000 and $500 BigFuture Scholarships: no essay, no minimum GPA or test score; entries earned by completing planning steps.
    Read the review: BigFuture Scholarships (College Board)

  • Niche

    Free
    Database, as stated
    "Thousands of scholarships" (no exact count)
    Applying
    Many scholarships need no essay; Niche says you can "apply to several with just a few clicks".
    Own no-essay award
    $40,000 Niche No Essay Scholarship (deadline October 15, 2026, one winner, requirements: none). The menu also links a $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.
    Read the review: Niche

  • Scholly (Sallie Mae)

    Free
    Database, as stated
    "Thousands of scholarships" (no exact count)
    Applying
    "Scholly Easy Apply" scholarships use one form.
    Own no-essay award
    $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship and $2,000 No Essay Scholarship.
    Read the review: Scholly (Sallie Mae)

  • Unigo

    Not read
    Database, as stated
    Over 3.6 million scholarships and grants, $24 billion in awards
    Applying
    An account saves results and essay questions to fill out future Unigo scholarships faster.
    Own no-essay award
    Monthly Unigo scholarships, for example the Unigo $10K Scholarship (age 14 and up, US residents).
    Read the review: Unigo

When should you stay with ScholarshipOwl?

Stay with ScholarshipOwl if the time you save from one reused application and automatic reapplication is worth the membership to you, and you are comfortable with its data terms after reading them.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to ScholarshipOwl?

On our weights, Bold.org ranks highest of the other scored sites. If you want a free site, Bold.org is the highest-ranked free option.

Is there a free alternative to ScholarshipOwl?

Yes. Bold.org, Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Niche, Scholly (Sallie Mae), Appily (formerly Cappex) and BigFuture Scholarships (College Board) say they are free to use.

Why is ScholarshipOwl ranked 1?

On our default weights it totals 6.75, rank 1 of 4. It scores highest in set on effort saved, matching and help and lowest in set on cost and privacy.